Intermediate Nerve Supply of the Adrenal Glands Quiz

Q1. What happens to adrenal preganglionic sympathetic fibers as they pass through prevertebral ganglia?

• They become parasympathetic fibers
• They terminate in the renal cortex
• They pass through without synapsing
• They all synapse in the celiac ganglion

Q2. Which thoracic splanchnic nerve is commonly emphasized as a major pathway to the adrenal medulla?

• Pelvic splanchnic nerve
• Phrenic nerve
• Vagus nerve
• Greater splanchnic nerve

Q3. From which spinal cord region do the sympathetic preganglionic neurons supplying the adrenal medulla arise?

• Intermediolateral cell column of the thoracic spinal cord
• Anterior horn of the sacral spinal cord
• Dorsal root ganglia only
• Brainstem parasympathetic nuclei

Q4. Which autonomic plexuses are associated with nerves reaching the adrenal glands?

• Brachial plexus
• Celiac and renal or aorticorenal plexuses
• Inferior hypogastric plexus only
• Cardiac and pulmonary plexuses only

Q5. Why is no conventional postganglionic sympathetic neuron required between the spinal cord and adrenal chromaffin cell?

• The chromaffin cell serves the functional role of a postganglionic sympathetic neuron
• The adrenal gland is not part of the autonomic system
• The cortex supplies the missing neuron
• Catecholamines are produced by sensory neurons

Q6. What ion channel event follows activation of nicotinic receptors on chromaffin cells?

• Depolarization followed by calcium-dependent secretion
• Opening of renal collecting ducts
• Inhibition of all calcium entry
• Permanent membrane hyperpolarization

Q7. How does the neural supply of the adrenal cortex differ from that of the medulla?

• The cortex is a parasympathetic ganglion
• The cortex receives only somatic motor fibers
• The cortex has more direct preganglionic synapses than the medulla
• The cortex lacks the medulla's prominent direct preganglionic secretomotor innervation

Q8. Which factor primarily regulates zona glomerulosa secretion rather than direct sympathetic innervation?

• Somatic motor activity
• Nicotinic acetylcholine signaling only
• Phrenic nerve stimulation
• Angiotensin II and extracellular potassium

Q9. Which factor is a major regulator of zona fasciculata and reticularis activity rather than direct medullary-type innervation?

• Acetylcholine at nicotinic receptors
• ACTH
• Somatic motor neurons
• Vagal postganglionic fibers

Q10. What is the principal advantage of direct preganglionic sympathetic innervation of chromaffin cells?

• Rapid systemic catecholamine release
• Direct production of steroid hormones by nerves
• Slow local secretion confined to the adrenal capsule
• Prevention of catecholamine entry into blood